(Eric's P.O.V.)

I pulled back after long moments of that powerful, passionate kiss, and I was awed of the bond as I somehow can hear Ariel's heartbeat now, and once I opened my eyes, I was further awed, gaping at Ariel. Her beautiful self was back, but with some differences.

"What are you staring at me for, Eric?", Ariel asked curiously, and I exhaled, "Look at your tail.". She looked down, and gasped in shock as she stared upon her tail which is now inky black like my hair, and her fins changed to be bright seaweed green as it's not the sea-foam green anymore.

Her bright red hair gleamed like fire, and her skin a flawless pale tan like the moon, contracting with her lovely purple seashell bra, and her eyes shone like ocean blue and ice blue. Wait, ice blue? I breathed, "Ariel, look at me.". After staring at her new tail and fins for a couple of minutes, she looked at me, and I saw it. Her eyes held flecks of ice blue.

She spoke over mine, "Your eyes." "Eric, your tail!". I blinked in confusion, and looked down, and gasped in amazement as I saw my tail. It's bright red like Ariel's hair. My fins remained bright seaweed green, matching Ariel's fins perfectly.

I looked up, "Ariel, does my eyes look different too?". Ariel flickered her tail as she peered closely at me, and nodded, "Your eyes has flecks of ocean blue.". I smiled softly as I am starting to like the new changes, "Looks like we traded some of our eye colors and tail colors from our hair as your eyes, they hold flecks of ice blue.".

Ariel giggled, "Can you imagine my sisters' comments about all this?". I came to chuckle warmly after I realized the ramifications of her comment, "Yes, indeed. Max would be surprised about this too. I am glad that we are soulmates, Ariel.".

Ariel grinned, "Not just soulmates, Eric, but bonded soulmates.". I nodded, agreeing on that as we are technically married in a sense. Then I realized something. "Does this mean that you're my wife?". Ariel smiled sadly, "Unfortunately, no. That's for the public marriage. But we're not girlfriend and boyfriend anymore as we are bonded soulmates in title as of right now.".

I understood her explanation and accepted it quite happily as it's obviously a big thing here in Ariel's world. I gestured lightly, "Shall we get going? I believe you haven't slept on a beach yet.". Ariel gasped, "Really? We're going to sleep under the stars?".

I grinned as I grasped her hand warmly, "My love, I'd do anything to make you happy, and it's quite safe as it's clearly getting late, rather late for them to be awake any longer, but we can be on the surface, I promise you. The warlock will know sooner or later that we're coming, but for now, we can have a night ourselves.".

Ariel looked delighted as she beamed softly, "You called me 'My love' in Greek!". I blushed lightly, "It just came up, and I couldn't stop to-". Ariel's hand rested upon my lips, stopping me. She looked at me with this affectionate expression, "I don't mind, my prince.".

I widened my eyes, "Your prince? But I am a commoner!". Ariel narrowed her eyes, "Eric, listen to me. You'll always be my prince no matter what happens, and I love you for who you are, not what you are. And besides, you're technically a prince now, thanks to our bond.". I exhaled, softening my voice, "How did I ever get such a beautiful, smart, curious girl like you? You're incredible, Ariel.".

Ariel kissed me upon my cheek softly, "You're amazing, Eric, don't ever forget that.". I hummed softly, "Yes, my love. Come on, let's head to the beach, and gaze at the stars. It's going to be a long night.". Ariel squeezed my hand eagerly, "I don't care as long as I am with you, my prince.".

I smiled brightly as we swam on, heading up to the surface, breathing in the cool fresh air as we stroked and flipped our tails, aiming to be on our beach as I could see the stars coming out so clear and bright. Two hours later, Ariel fell asleep in my arms, snuggling into my chest as she said those little three words, her tail covering over mine, and I held her warmly as I glanced up at the moon, asking for a sign to see where King Triton's star is.

I was a bit nervous when I saw one star sparkle quite brightly, and I exhaled, whispering in a request. "King Triton, I am in love with your daughter. Ariel's the most incredible, amazing, and brave woman I've ever met, and I am glad I saved her that night, otherwise I'd be wondering if I was destined to be alone forever by then. I won't leave her alone to suffer, being a merperson or a human. She's bonded to me as I am to her. We are soulmates as you may have already know by then.",

"The point I am getting to...I am looking for your blessing to have us to be married someday, in public. I know I was a human, but I'd sacrifice that and more if I'd have your daughter as my wife. She's my family, my life. Please consider my request, and I'll be waiting for your answer somehow, someway. Good night, your majesty.". I finished slowly yet clearly, becoming very sleepy now.

I enveloped my tail into Ariel's tail, becoming as one as I held her by the waist and rested my head upon the sand, the scent of her hair calming me down as I fell asleep slowly, and I smiled softly, whispering, "I love you, Ariel.". Meanwhile, the star of King Triton was twinkling slowly as if the soul inside was thinking of Eric's request, and he's still reeling over the incredible effects of his daughter and Eric's bonding ritual.